-- Pick One -- Choosing Your Home Common Misconceptions The REAL Story Cost Comparisons Frequently Asked Questions Property Management As A Career Employment Opportunities     |

Start now... 1. Have you established a budget or price range for a home? Yes   No   2. Have you factored in the total costs of owning a home beyond the mortgage payment (such as home maintenance, home repair, homeowner's insurance, association fees, flood insurance, and new furniture)? Yes   No   3. Have you saved at least three percent of the purchase price for a down payment? Yes   No   4. Do you know how to calculate your debt-to-income ratio? Yes   No     If so, is your current debt-to-income ratio less than 29 percent? No   Have not calculated   Yes   5. Do you know your credit score? Yes   No     Is your FICO score at least 720 points? Yes   No   Don't know   6. Do you need to improve your credit record before applying for a mortgage? Yes   No   Don't know   7. If mortgage interest rates go up in the next year or so, will it put a strain on your budget? Yes   No   8. Have you been late with a rent check or credit card payment in the last 6 months? Yes   No   9. Are you able to set aside at least one percent of the home's purchase price each year for maintenance and home repairs? Yes   No   10. Have you calculated the exact tax liability of home ownership? Yes   No   11. Are you prepared for a detailed investigation of your financial status as part of the mortgage loan application? Yes   No   12. Will the home you can afford now meet your needs five years from now? Yes   No   13. Do you consider yourself a do-it-yourselfer? Yes   No   14. Can you afford a home in the area or school district you prefer? Yes   No   15. Do you plan to sell the home within 5 years? Yes   No   16. Is there a chance that your job will require you to relocate sometime in the next five years? Yes   No   17. Is there any reason to think you might lose your job in the next five years? Yes   No   18. Have you accounted for the possibility of property taxes increasing in your desired neighborhood or location? Yes   No